While headline inflation has moderated in recent months, food prices, which account for nearly half the consumer price index (CPI) basket, have remained elevated, squeezing household budgets
But remains well above RBI's 4 per cent target
The government has tasked the Reserve Bank to ensure inflation remains at 4%, with a margin of 2 per cent on either side
Das stressed that RBI may consider rate cuts only once retail inflation eases towards the RBI's 4% target on a sustainable basis
Indicates 'significant per capita income shifts' underway
Food price pressures is an obstacle in swifter fall in retail inflation to the Reserve Bank's target of 4 per cent, said an article on the 'State of Economy' in the central bank's March Bulletin published on Tuesday. Retail inflation based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) is on a decline since December and was at 5.09 per cent in February. "Even as inflation is on the ebb with broad-based softening of core inflation, the repetitive incidence of short amplitude food price pressures deters a swifter fall in headline inflation towards the target of 4 per cent," said the article authored by a team lead by RBI Deputy Governor Michael Debabrata Patra. It further said the global economy is losing steam, with growth slowing in some of the most resilient economies and high frequency indicators pointing to further levelling in the period ahead. In India, real GDP growth was at a six-quarter high in the third quarter of financial year 2023-24, powered by strong momentum, robust indirect taxes, a
Madan Sabnavis, chief economist, Bank of Baroda, said inflation in February was purely a food-driven phenomenon, which would continue to pressure prices in the coming months
Food and beverage recorded an inflation of 8.66 per cent vs 8.3 per cent in January 2024
Retail inflation for industrial workers eased to 4.59 per cent in January compared to 4.91 per cent in December 2023 mainly due to lower prices of certain food items. Food inflation stood at 7.66 per cent in January 2024 against 8.18 per cent in December 2023. Food inflation was 5.69 per cent in January 2023 a year ago, a labour ministry statement said. Retail inflation based on the consumer price index for industrial workers (CPI-IW) was 6.16 per cent in January 2023. The All-India CPI-IW for January 2024 increased by 0.1 point to 138.9 points from 138.8 points in December 2023. The maximum upward pressure in the current index came from the Housing group contributing 0.48 percentage points to the total change. At the item level, House rent, Ladies Suiting, Casual wear, Saree Cotton, Woolen Sweater/Pull-over, Plastic/PVC Shoes, Tailoring Charges/Embroidery, Chewing Tobacco, Foreign/Refined Liquor, Pan Masala, etc. are responsible for the rise in the index. However, it stated that
Retail inflation for farm workers and rural labourers eased marginally to 7.52 per cent and 7.37 per cent in January as compared to the previous month, mainly due to lower prices of certain food items. In December 2023, Consumer Price Index-Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Consumer Price Index-Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) was 7.71 per cent and 7.46 per cent, respectively. Food inflation stood at 9.67 per cent and 9.43 per cent last month as compared to 9.95 per cent and 9.80 per cent in December 2023 and 6.61 per cent and 6.47 per cent in the year-ago period, a labour ministry statement said. In January 2023, CPI-AL was 6.85 per cent and CPI-RL was 6.88 per cent. The All-India CPI number for AL and RL for January 2024 increased by 1 point each to 1,258 and 1,268 points, respectively. The CPI-AL and CPI-RL were 1,257 and 1,267 points, respectively in December 2023. The major contribution towards rise in the general index of AL and RL came from miscellaneous groups to the extent of 1
The growth rate in the IIP slightly increased to 3.8 per cent in December from 2.4 per cent in November on the back of improvement in the performance of the manufacturing sector (3.9 per cent)
Food and beverage recorded an inflation of 8.3 per cent in January 2024, compared to 8.70 per cent the previous month
Stock market highlights on February 12, 2024: The broader markets suffered deeper losses with the BSE MidCap index falling 2.6 per cent and the BSE SmallCap 3.16 per cent
The dollar index fell 0.07% to 104.04, while the euro was up 0.08% to $1.0785
The rise in the cost of a veg thali signals that the food inflation inched up in January as compared to January 2023
Both the US Fed and Bank of England have taken the tightening bias off the table. Will the RBI follow the same path?
Retail inflation for industrial workers eased marginally to 4.91 per cent in December from 4.98 per cent in November 2023, mainly due to lower prices of certain food items. "Food inflation stood at 8.18 per cent (in December 2023) against 7.95 per cent of the previous month (November 2023) and 4.10 per cent during the corresponding month (of December 2022) a year ago," a labour ministry statement said. According to the statement, the year-on-year inflation for the month (December 2023) stood at 4.91 per cent compared to 4.98 per cent in the previous month (November 2023) and 5.50 per cent (December 2022) in the year-ago period. The All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) for December 2023 decreased by 0.3 points and stood at 138.8 points. It was 139.1 in November last year. On one-month percentage change, it decreased by 0.22 per cent with respect to the previous month compared to a contraction of 0.15 per cent a year ago. The maximum downward pressure in th
Retail inflation for farm workers and rural labourers increased marginally to 7.71 per cent and 7.46 per cent in December compared to 7.37 per cent and 7.13 per cent, respectively, in November due to higher prices of certain food items. Food inflation stood at 9.95 per cent and 9.80 per cent in December 2023, compared to 9.38 per cent and 9.14 per cent, respectively, in November 2023. Food inflation for farm workers and rural labourers was 5.89 per cent and 5.76 per cent, respectively, in December 2022, a labour ministry statement said. According to the statement, point to point rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL (Consumer Price Index-Agricultural Labourers) and CPI-RL (rural labourers) stood at 7.71 per cent and 7.46 per cent in December 2023 compared to 7.37 per cent and 7.13 per cent, respectively, in November 2023. It was 6.38 per cent and 6.60 per cent for farm workers and rural labourers, respectively, during December 2022. The All-India Consumer Price Index Number for ..
Retail inflation: The jump in inflation was due to a rise in food prices as food inflation came in at 9.53 per cent in December
Food prices, which account for about half of the inflation basket, rose in November and remained elevated last month, largely led by vegetable prices and household staples